Executing Advocacy for Normalized Trade

Challenge

The legislation to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China faced extensive opposition to passage in the Congress.

Solution

FI managed all aspects of the largest-ever trade advocacy campaign on behalf of a coalition of 22 major corporations that supported PNTR and China’s accession to the World Trade Organization. FI’s team managed the effective application and integration of media (paid and earned), grass roots, grass tops, third party validators, and Congressional and Executive Branch advocacy, and developed advocacy materials to support the legislation.

Corporate leaders of the campaign included among others: General Electric, Ford, Motorola, Microsoft, Time Warner, Boeing, P&G, Caterpillar, Intel and New York Life. FI reported to and supported this Corporate Committee in setting strategy and governance of the advocacy campaign.

Industry associations participating in the campaign included the US Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable and the National Association of Manufacturers, among others. FI worked closely with Congressional leadership and ran a Coordination Center for this campaign, which worked closely with its White House counterpart. FI’s advocacy also fostered solutions to critical political issues and created support and new alliances for the legislation.

Result

The legislation was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President.